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A review by housedesignerking
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I wAs very much interested while reading the first chapter. Reading how the Minister of Magic had to make visits to the Muggle Prime Minister, whom I sarcastically pictured as Tony Blair. The hilarious reactions when Fudge appeared through the Fireplace, I couldn't help but laugh. To no surprise, the books always go into more detail than the movie versions, as i've mentioned incessantly, so it was also interesting to read Snape's explanation as to how and why he wasn't there for the Dark Lord on so many occasions.
We follow Harry as he tries to figure out what Draco Malfoy is up to, as well as seeking something from the Professor who recently returned to Hogwarts as to aid the Headmaster in an imperative mission against the Darkest Wizard of all time. Complications arise amidst Harry's sudden feelings for his best mate's sister. Harry gets to kiss Ginny....Lucky son of a ...Imagine trying to save the world and your heart is falling for someone at the same time. Which do you pick?
Once again, J.K. Rowling takes the reader through a surprisingly logical trip through fantasy. Half Blood Prince is a literary masterpiece along with much desired light-hearted moments. I find myself at a loss of words because I literally have nothing bad to say about this book. Well, I did get caught up in the emotions when someone died..or was murdered, rather. I guess that would be my one bad thing to say, that I wish that person didn't have to die, but it was apparently imperative in the long run. I had to re-read the chapter with the battle afterward where the teacher's and students stand up to defend the school, only because heh heh, it wasn't in the movie...correction, it was kept OUT of the movie.
The sad part is that I NOW understand why so many Potterheads were so disappointed with the movie with the same title. So much was changed, so much was left out. Only in reading these books am I coming to a better understanding of this story line. Especially, the Villian's Daddy Issues. J.K. Rowling truly did deliver an Enthralling National Best Seller and I can obviously see why every book in the series was a best seller.
Just a random note, I love the character Tonks LoL. She's so spunky.
(SEE EDIT NOTE BELOW MY NOTES)
My notes:
September 15, 2011... page 38, 5.83%: "Just started reading and the first two chapters already showcase differences when I compare them to my memory of the movie version. The book is already much more interesting even though the movie is one of my favourites in the 8 movie series."
September 16, 2011... page 168, 25.77%: "Crestfallen. It's official that the movies do not match the books that much. I know that they have to 'hollywood' things up, so i'm not gonna complain though. I'm at the part where they students just arrived at Hogwarts for another year."
September 17, 2001... page 188, 28.83%: "Just read about Snape's second ever 'Defense Against The Dark Arts,' class. The first, of course, being in the Prisoner of Azkaban book. Really wish this second class had been in the movie."
-
--page 214, 32.82%: "Wow! Just read an entire two chapters, pretty much, that weren't even in the movie version! Fascinating, despite what Tom Riddle Jr turned into."
-
--Page 274, 42.02%: "Okay. Finally came to a couple things that WERE in the movie. Not too concerned about what they cut out tho. It's interesting how different the events unfold when u compare the movie to the book."
September 18, 2011... page 298, 45.71%: "LMFAO!! I love Ginny!! After the quidditch match, because of the new commentator's a(Zacharias Smith) annoying words, she flew her broom crashing into the stands where he was sitting so that wood and debris fell on him. Classic!! An irate McGonagall and Ginny simply says, "Sorry Professor! Forgot to brake!" CLASSIC!!"
September 19, 2011... page 390, 59.82%: "Hmm. Apparation lessons. The idea is interesting. Focus on where you wanna go, in the case of the lesson, go through the hoop and land on the other side on the floor. Start by twisting yourself around and going through the hoop...be careful, you could splinch yourself. Amusing, but horrifying."
-
--page 442, 67.79%: "Hmm..a possible alternative future prevented for Voldemort by two different Headmasters of Hogwarts. Interesting."
September 20, 2011... page 513, 78.68%: "This book is amazing! Obviously, books explain more in detail than when they turn it into a movie; I understand the logic of Horcruxes even more now. The logic, despite the fantasy, makes sense."
-
--page 533, 81.75%: "Ginny gets kissed by Harry after they managed to win the Quidditch match and the Cup, without Harry as Captain...Lucky son of a ..."
We follow Harry as he tries to figure out what Draco Malfoy is up to, as well as seeking something from the Professor who recently returned to Hogwarts as to aid the Headmaster in an imperative mission against the Darkest Wizard of all time. Complications arise amidst Harry's sudden feelings for his best mate's sister. Harry gets to kiss Ginny....Lucky son of a ...Imagine trying to save the world and your heart is falling for someone at the same time. Which do you pick?
Once again, J.K. Rowling takes the reader through a surprisingly logical trip through fantasy. Half Blood Prince is a literary masterpiece along with much desired light-hearted moments. I find myself at a loss of words because I literally have nothing bad to say about this book. Well, I did get caught up in the emotions when someone died..or was murdered, rather. I guess that would be my one bad thing to say, that I wish that person didn't have to die, but it was apparently imperative in the long run. I had to re-read the chapter with the battle afterward where the teacher's and students stand up to defend the school, only because heh heh, it wasn't in the movie...correction, it was kept OUT of the movie.
The sad part is that I NOW understand why so many Potterheads were so disappointed with the movie with the same title. So much was changed, so much was left out. Only in reading these books am I coming to a better understanding of this story line. Especially, the Villian's Daddy Issues. J.K. Rowling truly did deliver an Enthralling National Best Seller and I can obviously see why every book in the series was a best seller.
Just a random note, I love the character Tonks LoL. She's so spunky.
(SEE EDIT NOTE BELOW MY NOTES)
My notes:
September 15, 2011... page 38, 5.83%: "Just started reading and the first two chapters already showcase differences when I compare them to my memory of the movie version. The book is already much more interesting even though the movie is one of my favourites in the 8 movie series."
September 16, 2011... page 168, 25.77%: "Crestfallen. It's official that the movies do not match the books that much. I know that they have to 'hollywood' things up, so i'm not gonna complain though. I'm at the part where they students just arrived at Hogwarts for another year."
September 17, 2001... page 188, 28.83%: "Just read about Snape's second ever 'Defense Against The Dark Arts,' class. The first, of course, being in the Prisoner of Azkaban book. Really wish this second class had been in the movie."
-
--page 214, 32.82%: "Wow! Just read an entire two chapters, pretty much, that weren't even in the movie version! Fascinating, despite what Tom Riddle Jr turned into."
-
--Page 274, 42.02%: "Okay. Finally came to a couple things that WERE in the movie. Not too concerned about what they cut out tho. It's interesting how different the events unfold when u compare the movie to the book."
September 18, 2011... page 298, 45.71%: "LMFAO!! I love Ginny!! After the quidditch match, because of the new commentator's a(Zacharias Smith) annoying words, she flew her broom crashing into the stands where he was sitting so that wood and debris fell on him. Classic!! An irate McGonagall and Ginny simply says, "Sorry Professor! Forgot to brake!" CLASSIC!!"
September 19, 2011... page 390, 59.82%: "Hmm. Apparation lessons. The idea is interesting. Focus on where you wanna go, in the case of the lesson, go through the hoop and land on the other side on the floor. Start by twisting yourself around and going through the hoop...be careful, you could splinch yourself. Amusing, but horrifying."
-
--page 442, 67.79%: "Hmm..a possible alternative future prevented for Voldemort by two different Headmasters of Hogwarts. Interesting."
September 20, 2011... page 513, 78.68%: "This book is amazing! Obviously, books explain more in detail than when they turn it into a movie; I understand the logic of Horcruxes even more now. The logic, despite the fantasy, makes sense."
-
--page 533, 81.75%: "Ginny gets kissed by Harry after they managed to win the Quidditch match and the Cup, without Harry as Captain...Lucky son of a ..."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Death of parent